While initial projections for the year-end holidays looked promising, stakeholders in the tourism and restaurant industries are currently expecting a somewhat muted festive season. The recent escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel, with its repercussions in southern Lebanon, has considerably disrupted the situation. Nevertheless, despite facing notably challenging political, security, and economic circumstances, a kind of optimism prevails.
Lebanon had hoped for year-end celebrations to match the lucrative summer season, which generated almost $3.8 billion. Unfortunately, the conflict between Hamas and Israel, along with its repercussions in southern Lebanon, has entirely shattered these expectations. The festive period, typically characterized by family reunions, sees the return of many Lebanese expatriates, but tourists are notably absent. In fact, the majority of visitors during the Christmas and New Year holidays are Lebanese nationals working or studying abroad. While flights are packed, the situation is quite different for restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels.
Following two months of stagnation due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel and its repercussions in southern Lebanon, the travel sector is experiencing an upswing. Jean Abboud, president of the union of travel agency owners, is optimistic about this development and states to This Is Beirut that "the 70 planes landing daily in Lebanon show a 100% occupancy rate from December 8 to 24.” Furthermore, the national carrier, MEA, has announced the scheduling of extra flights to Beirut during this period. The majority of passengers are Lebanese expatriates coming to celebrate the holidays with their families, with a modest influx of tourists from Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. However, Abboud conveyed his disappointment over the major absence of European visitors.
Increase in Incoming Flights to Beirut
The General Director of Civil Aviation at Beirut International Airport (BIA), Fadi al-Hassan, stated that the national carrier MEA is gradually increasing its flight operations following a temporary cutback due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Additionally, the Lufthansa Group is scheduled to resume its flights to Lebanon starting December 15 after a two-month suspension.
He pointed out that “the passenger traffic at AIB has begun to increase, reaching between 6,000 and 6,500 passengers on some days.” Al-Hassan added that, “as the holidays are drawing close, flights to Beirut are at full capacity," hoping that this trend will persist.
However, hotels are once again grappling with the repercussions of regional instability. Pierre Achkar, President of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and the Syndicate of Hotel Owners, clarifies to This is Beirut, “Due to the absence of tourists and expatriates staying with their families, the hotel occupancy rate during the holiday season remains minimal.”
As for restaurants, Maya Bekhazi, the general secretary of the union for restaurant, café, nightclub, and pastry shop owners in Lebanon, tells This is Beirut that “people are showing interest and inquiring about year-end events, but reservations are still limited.” However, she assures that “restaurant owners are optimistic and confident, hoping for last-minute reservations.”
In this context, it's important to highlight that the tourism sector was at its peak from June to early September 2023. The past summer, Lebanon witnessed a consistent influx of expatriates as well as international clientele. As such, summer 2023 — August most specifically — saw the presence of a high number of European, Jordanian, Egyptian, and Iraqi tourists.
Lebanon had hoped for year-end celebrations to match the lucrative summer season, which generated almost $3.8 billion. Unfortunately, the conflict between Hamas and Israel, along with its repercussions in southern Lebanon, has entirely shattered these expectations. The festive period, typically characterized by family reunions, sees the return of many Lebanese expatriates, but tourists are notably absent. In fact, the majority of visitors during the Christmas and New Year holidays are Lebanese nationals working or studying abroad. While flights are packed, the situation is quite different for restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels.
Following two months of stagnation due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel and its repercussions in southern Lebanon, the travel sector is experiencing an upswing. Jean Abboud, president of the union of travel agency owners, is optimistic about this development and states to This Is Beirut that "the 70 planes landing daily in Lebanon show a 100% occupancy rate from December 8 to 24.” Furthermore, the national carrier, MEA, has announced the scheduling of extra flights to Beirut during this period. The majority of passengers are Lebanese expatriates coming to celebrate the holidays with their families, with a modest influx of tourists from Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. However, Abboud conveyed his disappointment over the major absence of European visitors.
Increase in Incoming Flights to Beirut
The General Director of Civil Aviation at Beirut International Airport (BIA), Fadi al-Hassan, stated that the national carrier MEA is gradually increasing its flight operations following a temporary cutback due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Additionally, the Lufthansa Group is scheduled to resume its flights to Lebanon starting December 15 after a two-month suspension.
He pointed out that “the passenger traffic at AIB has begun to increase, reaching between 6,000 and 6,500 passengers on some days.” Al-Hassan added that, “as the holidays are drawing close, flights to Beirut are at full capacity," hoping that this trend will persist.
However, hotels are once again grappling with the repercussions of regional instability. Pierre Achkar, President of the Federation of Tourism Syndicates and the Syndicate of Hotel Owners, clarifies to This is Beirut, “Due to the absence of tourists and expatriates staying with their families, the hotel occupancy rate during the holiday season remains minimal.”
As for restaurants, Maya Bekhazi, the general secretary of the union for restaurant, café, nightclub, and pastry shop owners in Lebanon, tells This is Beirut that “people are showing interest and inquiring about year-end events, but reservations are still limited.” However, she assures that “restaurant owners are optimistic and confident, hoping for last-minute reservations.”
In this context, it's important to highlight that the tourism sector was at its peak from June to early September 2023. The past summer, Lebanon witnessed a consistent influx of expatriates as well as international clientele. As such, summer 2023 — August most specifically — saw the presence of a high number of European, Jordanian, Egyptian, and Iraqi tourists.
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